Functions and method for handling a credit pool of service units

ABSTRACT

The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a Control Plane (CP) function for handling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least one first Rating Group (RG). The CP function creates an individual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function. The CP function creates a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL). The URR CRPL comprises instructions to the UP function to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the URR CRPL to the UP function.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/623,008, which was filed on Dec. 16, 2019, which is anational stage application of PCT/EP2017/068218, which was filed Jul.19, 2017, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate generally to a Control Plane (CP) function, amethod performed by the CP function, a User Plane (UP) function and amethod performed by the UP function. More particularly the embodimentsherein relate to for handling a credit pool comprising granted serviceunits to be used by multiple services.

BACKGROUND

In the field of telecommunication network, charging is a term whichrelates that information related to a chargeable event is obtained,processed, transferred and analysed in order to determine data usage forwhich a charged party should be billed (offline charging) or for which asubscriber's account should be debited (online charging). In order toperform charging, the network needs to perform real-time monitoring ofresource usage. Charging mechanisms are present in different domains,services and subsystems in a telecommunication network.

Credit control is a mechanism that interacts with an account andcontrols or monitors the charges related to the service usage. Usingother words, credit control may be described as a process of checkingwhether credit is available, credit reservation, deduction of creditfrom the end user account when a service is completed and refunding ofreserved credit that is not used.

A set of services may be grouped or gathered in a so called Rating Group(RG). The RG may also be referred to as a Charging Key (CK). The set ofservices in a RG is subject to the same cost and rating type (e.g. 0.1$/minute). A credit control server may authorize or grant credit for oneor more services in a RG, or for the whole RG. A quota is allocated to aRG, and all service belonging to that RG can draw credit from thatallocated quota. The allocated quota may also be referred to as agranted quota. FIG. 1 illustrates the relationship between service ID,RG, credit pool and credit-control (sub-) session. When multipleservices are used within the same user session and each service or groupof services is subject to different cost, it is necessary to performcredit-control for each service independently. A credit-controlapplication enables independent credit-control of multiple services in asingle credit-control (sub-) session. It is possible to request andallocate resources as a credit pool shared between multiple services. Asmentioned above, the services can be grouped into RGs in order toachieve even further aggregation of credit allocation. It is alsopossible to request and allocate quotas on a per service basis. Thequotas are allocated to a credit pool and can be re-authorizedindependently at any time. FIG. 1 illustrates two credit pools, creditpool x and credit pool y. Credit pool x has two allocated quotas, i.e.quota Q1 and quota Q2. A service with service-Id b and another servicewith service-Id b can draw credit from quota Q1. Credit pool y has oneallocated quota, i.e. quota Q3. A service with service Id z belongs toRG n which can draw credit from quota Q3. A service with service-Id cand a service with service-Id d are grouped into RG 1 which can drawcredit from quota Q2. The services with service-ID a, b, c, d . . . zall belong to the same Diameter Credit-Control (DCC) (sub-) session.

One mechanism used in relation to charging is a credit pool which isused to avoid credit fragmentation when online charging is applied,whereby granted quotas are linked into a credit pool. In other words,service units are provided as a pool that applies to multiple servicesor RGs. This is achieved by providing the service units in the form of aquota for a particular service or rating group, and also by including areference to a credit pool for that unit type. Services draw unit fromthe credit pool. A service may be defined as a type of task performed bya service element for an end user. A service may be used by an end user,e.g. a person using a mobile phone. The reference to the credit poolincludes a multiplier derived from a rating parameter, which translatesfrom service units of a specific type to the service units in the creditpool. For instance, if the rating parameter for service number 1 is$1/MB and the rating parameter for service number 2 is $0.5/MB, themultipliers could be 10 and 5 for services 1 and 2, respectively.

If S is the total service units (the total service units is the same asthe total credit) within the credit pool, M1, M2, . . . , Mn are themultipliers provided for services 1, 2, . . . , n, and C1, C2, . . . ,Cn are the used resources within the session (where n is zero or anypositive integer), then the pool credit is exhausted andre-authorization must be sought when:C1*M1+C2*M2+ . . . +Cn*Mn>=S

The total credit in the pool, S, is calculated from the quotas (Q1, Q2,. . . Qn, where n is zero or any positive integer), which are currentlyallocated to the pool as follows:S=Q1*M1+Q2*M2+ . . . +Qn*Mn

If services or rating groups are added to or removed from the pool, thenthe total credit is adjusted appropriately. Note that when the totalcredit is adjusted because services or rating groups are removed fromthe pool, the value that need to be removed is the consumed one (i.e.,Cx*Mx).

Re-authorizations for an individual service or rating group may besought at any time; for example, if a ‘non-pooled’ quota is used up orthe Validity-Time expires.

Where multiple Granted-Service-Unit (GSU)-Pool-Reference Attribute ValuePairs (AVPs) with the same GSU-Pool-Identifier are provided within aMultiple-Services-Credit-Control AVP along with the Granted-Service-UnitAVP, then these must have different CC-Unit-Type values, and they alldraw from the credit pool separately. For instance, if one multiplierfor time (M1t) and one multiplier for volume (M1v) are given, then theused resources from the pool is the sum C1t*M1t+C1v*M1v, where C1t isthe time unit and C1v is the volume unit.

A granted service unit (GSU) is the quota granted by a charging systemsuch as e.g. an Online charging system (OCS) (or may also be the quotaprovisioned by OCS). A service unit may be a granted service unit, usedservice unit, etc., it depends on the context.

Where service units are provided within aMultiple-Services-Credit-Control AVP without a correspondingGSU-Pool-Reference AVP, then these are handled independently from anycredit pool and from any other services or rating groups within thesession.

The credit pool concept is an optimal tool to avoid the over-reservationeffect of the basic single quota tariff time change mechanism.Therefore, Diameter credit-control clients and servers implementing theindependent credit-control of multiple services should leverage thecredit pool concept when supporting the tariff time change. The Diametercredit-control server should include both the Tariff-Time-Change andTariff-Change-Usage AVPs in two quota allocations in the answer message(i.e., two instances of the Multiple-Services-Credit-Control AVP). Oneof the granted units is allocated to be used before the potential tariffchange, while the second granted units are for use after a tariffchange. Both granted unit quotas must contain the sameService-Identifier and/or Rating-Group. This dual quota mechanismensures that the overall reported used units would never exceed thecredit reservation. The Diameter credit-control client reports both theused units before and after the tariff change in a single instance ofthe Multiple-Services-Credit-Control AVP.

In release 14 of 3GPP, it is proposed to separate the control plane anduser plane functionality of some Evolved Packet Core (EPC) nodes, suchas the Serving Gateway (SGW), Packet data network Gateway (PGW) andTraffic Detection Function (TDF). FIG. 2 from 3GPP TS 23.214 V14.3.0(2017 June) illustrates an example architecture reference model in thecase of separation between user plane and control plane. Thisarchitecture reference model covers non-roaming as well as home routedand local breakout roaming scenarios.

Sx is an interface between the control plane and the user plane, andwill be described in more detail below. Parameters which are conveyedover the Sx between the CP function to the UP function are described inthe following four different rules, one Detection Rule and threedifferent “enforcement” rules:

-   -   Packet Detection Rule (PDR): Describing what packets should        receive a certain treatment (e.g. forwarding and other types of        enforcement).    -   Forwarding Action Rule (FAR): Comprises forwarding actions to be        applied to a packet.    -   Usage Reporting Rule (URR): Comprises information that defines a        certain measurement and how it shall be reported.    -   QoS Enforcement Rule (QER): Comprises information related to QoS        enforcement of traffic.

One or more Usage Reporting Rule(s) are provided by the CP function foran Sx session in an Sx Session Establishment Request or an Sx SessionModification Request to request the UP function to:

-   -   measure the network resources usage in terms of traffic data        volume, duration (i.e. time) and/or events, according to the        provisioned Measurement Method; and    -   send a usage report to the CP function, when the measurement        reaches a certain threshold, periodically or when detecting a        certain event, according to the provisioned Reporting Triggers.

To support the charging function including both for the online oroffline charging, the CP function will instruct UP how to perform theusage measurement and how/when to generate the desired usage report asbelow:

-   -   creating Packet Detection Rules(s) to represent a service data        flow, an application, a bearer or a session;    -   creating Usage Reporting Rule(s) for each Charging Key required,        combination of Charging Key and Service ID, or combination of        Charging Key, Sponsor ID and Application Service Provider Id;    -   associating a URR(s) to the relevant PDRs.

In this way the usage report(s) for the desired level, e.g. a bearer, asession, TDF session, a Service Data Flow or an application level can begenerated by the UP function, and be reported to the CP function.Therefore a URR comprises information that defines a certain measurement(how a packet shall be accounted) and how the measurement shall bereported.

FIG. 2 illustrates the User Plane (UP, U) which comprises the SWG-Userplane (SGW-U) 201 which is connected to the PGW-User plane (PGW-U) 203via the S5/8-U interface, and the PGW-U 203 may be connected to theTDF-User plane (TDF-U) 205 via the SGi interface (TDF-U 205 is anoptional functional entity). The TDF-U 205 may be connected to theOperator's Internet Protocol (IP) Services 208, e.g. the IP MultimediaSubsystem (IMS), Packet Switch Streaming (PSS) etc., via the SGiinterface. The Control Plane (CP, C) comprises the SGW-Control plane(SGW-C) 210 which is connected to the PGW-Control plane (PGW-C) 213 viathe S5/8-C interface. The control plane may further comprises theTDF-Control plane (TDF-C) 215 (TDF-C 215 is an optional functionalentity) which is connected to the TDF-U 205 in the user plane via theSxc interface. The PGW-C 213 is connected to the PGW-U 203 via the Sxbinterface. The SGW-C 210 is connected to the SGW-U 201 via the Sxainterface. Thus, the Sx interface is an interface between the user planeand the control plane.

The architecture in FIG. 2 only depicts the case when the CP and UPfunctions of all SGW, PGW and TDF nodes are split. However, the othercases when the CP and UP function of only one of these nodes is splitwhile the CP and UP function of the other interfacing node is not split,e.g. PGW's control plane and user plane is split while SGW's controlplane and user plane is not split, are also supported. The splitarchitecture of a node does not put any architectural requirements onthe peer nodes with which it interfaces.

FIG. 3 (from 3GPP TS 23.214 V14.3.0 (2017 June) illustrates an exampleof an architecture reference model with separation of user plane andcontrol plane for a combined SGW/PGW. The usage of a combined SGW/PGW ispossible in a deployment with separated control and user planes. This isenabled by supporting an Sx interface with a common parameter structurefor non-combined and combined cases. The control plane comprises thecombined SGW/PGW-C 301 which is connected to the combined SGW/PGW-U 303via the combined Sxa/Sxb interface.

The prior art brings the credit pool concept to the UP function whichrequires that the UP function manages the granted service units to beshared among different RGs. This is contrary to the principle that a UPfunction should be designed as simple as possible since the UP functionis intended to be a simple packet forwarding device.

With the current solution, it is not clear how to use the existingparameters Pool Time Threshold (PTMTTH) and Pool Volume Threshold(PVOLTH) when the Credit Pool Information Element (IE) is included inthe same URR. It is also not clear how the multiplier works when packetsshould be counted. Furthermore, is provided any procedure for how the CPshould map or calculate the obtained quota/quotas (per individual RG orpooled RGs) to the quota provisioned to UP. Also, conditions thattrigger the UP reporting to the CP when different RGs (provisionedthrough different URRs) are pooled together are not known.

Therefore, there is a need to at least mitigate or solve at least one ofthese issues.

SUMMARY

An objective of embodiments herein is therefore to obviate at least oneof the above disadvantages and to provide support for credit pool whenthe user plane and control plane are separated.

According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a methodperformed by a CP function for handling a credit pool comprising grantedservice units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services aregrouped in at least one first RG. The CP function creates an individualURR for each of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprisesa first credit pool threshold. The CP function provides the individualURRs to a UP function. The CP function creates a Usage Reporting Rulefor the Credit Pool (URR CRPL). The URR CRPL comprises instructions tothe UP function to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRsfor all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit poolthreshold. The CP function provides the URR CRPL to the UP function.

According to a second aspect, the object is achieved by a methodperformed by a UP function for handling a credit pool comprising grantedservice units to be used by multiple services. The multiple services aregrouped in at least one first RG. The UP function obtains, from a CPfunction, an individual URR for each of the at least one first RGs. Eachindividual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The UP functionobtains a URR CRPL from the CP function. The URR CRPL comprisesinstructions to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs forall first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit poolthreshold. The UP function counts the used service units for eachindividual URR for the first RGs. The UP function aggregates the countedservice unit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs.

According to a third aspect, the object is achieved by a CP function forhandling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be used bymultiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least onefirst RG. The CP function is configured to create an individual URR foreach of the at least one first RG. Each individual URR comprises a firstcredit pool threshold. The CP function is further configured to providethe individual URRs to a UP function. The CP function is configured tocreate a URR CRPL. The URR CRPL comprises instructions to the UPfunction to aggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for allfirst RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first credit poolthreshold. The CP function is configured to provide the URR CRPL to theUP function.

According to a fourth aspect, the object is achieved by a UP functionfor handling a credit pool comprising granted service units to be usedby multiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least onefirst RG. The UP function is configured to obtain, from a CP function,an individual URR for each of the at least one first RGs. Eachindividual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold. The UP functionis configured to obtain a URR CRPL from the CP function. The URR CRPLcomprises instructions to aggregate service unit usage for allindividual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises thefirst credit pool threshold. The UP function is configured to count theused service units for each individual URR for the first RGs. The UPfunction is further configured to aggregate the counted service unitusage for all individual URRs for all first RGs.

Thanks to the URR CRPL, support for the credit pool is provided when theuser plane and control plane are separated.

Embodiments herein afford many advantages, of which a non-exhaustivelist of examples follows:

An advantage of the embodiments herein is that they provide an efficientmechanism by adding an extra ‘pooled’ URR, without breaking theprinciple that a URR is used to instruct the UP function how to countthe packet, and therefore avoiding complicated UP functionimplementation with unnecessary information, e.g. credit pool concept,to satisfy the credit pooling requirement.

The embodiments herein are not limited to the features and advantagesmentioned above. A person skilled in the art will recognize additionalfeatures and advantages upon reading the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein will now be further described in more detail inthe following detailed description by reference to the appended drawingsillustrating the embodiments and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating the relationship betweenservice ID, RG, credit pool and credit-control (sub-) session.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrates an example architecturereference model in the case of separation between UP and CP.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of anarchitecture reference model with separation of UP and UP for a combinedSGW/PGW.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating separation between theuser plane and control plane.

FIG. 5 is a signaling diagram illustrating an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating embodiments of a method.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of providing URRsin the Sx Session Establishment and Modification Procedures.

FIG. 8 a-8 b are flow charts illustrating embodiments of a methodperformed by a CP function.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a CPfunction.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating embodiments of a method performedby a UP function.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a UPfunction.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the dimensions of certainfeatures may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Emphasis isinstead placed upon illustrating the principle of the embodimentsherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 4 illustrates the separation between the CP and the UP as describedearlier. In detail, FIG. 4 illustrates a CP function 401 which isconnectable to the UP function 405. The interface between the CPfunction 401 and the UP function 405 may be referred to as an Sxinterface. The CP function 401 may be connectable to a charging node 408via a suitable interface.

The CP function 401 may be also referred to as a CP function entity, aCP entity, a CP node implementing a CP function, a CP module etc. The CPfunction 401 may be a PGW-C, a TDF-C or a combined SGW-C and PGW-C.

The UP function 405 may be referred to as a UP function entity, a UPentity, a UP node implementing a UP function, a UP module etc. The UPfunction 405 may be a PGW-U, a TDF-U or a combined SGW-U and PGW-U.

The charging node 407 may be an OCS node, an OCS function, an OCSentity, an Offline Charging System (OFCS) node, an OFCS function, anOFCS entity etc.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram which provides a conceptual description ofthe embodiments herein. The FIG. 5 illustrates the CP function 401, theUP function 405 and the charging node 408. The CP function 401 isassociated with a credit pool which comprises two RGs, i.e. RG 1 and RG2. RG 1 has a number of GSU of 100, a threshold of 80 and a multiplierwhich is 10. The GSU is the quota granted from or provisioned by e.g.the charging node 408. The RG 2 has a number of GSU of 50, a thresholdof 40 and a multiplier which is 2. The CP function 401 generates andprovides individual URRs (URR1 and URR 2) and a URR CRPL (URR 3) to theUP function 405. In more detail, an individual URR 1 for RG 1 comprisesa quota which is 150, a threshold which is 120, linked URR which is URR3. Since RG1 which is associated with the URR 1 is part of the creditpool, the quota for URR 1 is the sum of the quota (i.e. the GSUs) for RG1 and RG2 (the components in the credit pool), i.e. 100+50=150. Thethreshold for the URR 1 is the sum of the thresholds for RG1 and RG2,i.e. 80+40=120. The linked URR indicates that the URR 1 is linked to theURR 3 which is the URR CRPL. The multiplier for URR 1 is the same as themultiplier for RG1. The individual URR 2 for RG2 comprises a quota whichis 150, a threshold which is 120, linked URR which is URR 3 (i.e. theURR CRPL) and a multiplier which is 2. The quota and threshold comprisedin URR 2 is calculated in the same way as in URR 1. One differencebetween the URR 1 and URR 2 is the multiplier. The multiplier comprisedin URR 1 is 10 and the multiplier comprised in URR 2 is 2. The URR 3 isfor the credit pool and is therefore also referred to as the URR CRPL.The URR 3 comprises RG1 and RG2 (the RGs in the credit pool). The URR 3comprises the threshold which is 120 (the same threshold as in URR 1 andURR 2). The URR 3 comprises in addition an aggregation of URRs in thepool, e.g. in the form of a list of URR 1 and URR 2.

Note that a threshold is a part of a GSU (GSU is the same as the quota),e.g. a % of the GSU such as e.g. 80%. Using other words, a threshold isx % of the quota to ensure the report is earlier enough to prevent theuser data be transferred without quota (during the signalling procedurerequesting the new quota).

The method for handling a credit pool comprising granted service unitsto be used by multiple services according to some embodiments will nowbe described with reference to the signalling diagram in FIG. 6 . Themethod comprises at least one of the following steps, which steps may aswell be carried out in another suitable order than described below. Forexample, steps 605-609 may be performed after steps 610-613.

Step 601

The CP function 401 creates at least one individual URR and a URR CRPL.There is one individual URR per RG. Considering the example in FIG. 5where the credit pool comprises two RGs, i.e. RG 1 and RG 2. In thisexample, there is one individual URR 1 for RG 1 and one individual URR 2for RG 2. Each individual URR comprises a credit pool threshold, whichis the sum of the threshold for each of the RGs in the credit pool. Eachindividual URR may further comprises a link to the URR CRPL, amultiplier and a quota.

A credit pool may comprise one or more RGs.

The URR CRPL comprises the credit pool threshold, which is the samecredit pool threshold as comprised in each of the individual URRs. TheURR CRPL comprises instructions directed to the UP function 405. Theinstructions are to aggregates service unit usage for all individualURRs for all RGs in the credit pool. The instructions may be in the formof a parameter referred to as “aggregating usage of reports”. Using theexample in FIG. 5 again, the instructions indicate that the UP function405 should aggregate service unit usage for URR 1 and for URR 2. Theinstructions may be in the form of a list of the individual URRs ofwhich the service unit usage should be aggregated, e.g. a listcomprising URR 1 and URR 2 or a list comprising URR 1 ID and URR 2 ID.

Step 602

The CP function 401 provides the individual URRs and the URR CRPL to theUP function 405. The providing may be performed by directly transmittingthe individual URRs and the URR CRPL from the CP function 401 to the UPfunction 405, or by that the CP function 401 stores the individual URRsand the URR CRPL in a memory (e.g. in the cloud) from which the UPfunction 405 can obtain them.

The individual URRs and the URR CRPL may be provided together orseparately. In case there are two or more individual URRs, these may beprovided together or separately.

Step 603

The UP function 405 obtains the individual URRs and the URR CRPL.Triggered by the instruction to aggregate the service unit usage in theURR CRPL, the UP function 405 starts to count the used service units foreach individual URRs indicated in the URR CRPL, e.g. which are indicatedin a list in the URR CRPL. The UP function 405 also aggregates thecounted used service units for all the individual URRs.

Step 604

Information indicating the service unit usage is provided from the UPfunction 405 to the CP function 401. This information may be provided ina usage report. The service unit usage may be for one URR or it may befor two or more URRs, or it may be for all URRs associated with thepool, i.e. the aggregated service unit usage. The providing is done uponrequest, on a regular basis, when the aggregated service unit usage hasreached the credit pool threshold, when there has been a change of RATtechnology, or due to any other suitable reporting triggers or the UPfunction 405 to send a report to the CP function. Below is an example ofsome reporting triggers:

-   -   Periodic Reporting (PERIO): when set to 1, this indicates a        request for periodic reporting.    -   Volume Threshold (VOLTH): when set to 1, this indicates a        request for reporting when the data volume usage reaches a        volume threshold.    -   Time Threshold (TIMTH): when set to 1, this indicates a request        for reporting when the time usage reaches a time threshold.    -   Quota Holding Time (QUHTI): when set to 1, this indicates a        request for reporting when no packets have been obtained for a        period exceeding the Quota Holding Time.    -   Start of Traffic (START): when set to 1, this indicates a        request for reporting when detecting the start of a Service Data        Flow (SDF) or Application traffic.    -   Stop of Traffic (STOPT): when set to 1, this indicates a request        for reporting when detecting the stop of an SDF or Application        Traffic.    -   Dropped DL Traffic Threshold (DROTH): when set to 1, this        indicates a request for reporting when the Downlink (DL) traffic        being dropped reaches a threshold.    -   Linked Usage Reporting (LIUSA): when set to 1, this indicates a        request for linked usage reporting, i.e. a request for reporting        a usage report for a URR when a usage report is reported for a        linked URR.    -   Volume Quota (VOLQU): when set to 1, this indicates a request        for reporting when a Volume Quota is exhausted.    -   Time Quota (TIMQU): when set to 1, this indicates a request for        reporting when a Time Quota is exhausted.

The CP function 401 obtains the information indicating the aggregatedservice unit usage from the UP function 405.

The information indicating the aggregated service unit usage may also bereferred to as a usage report, and such report may comprise theinformation indicating the aggregated service unit usage.

The aggregated service unit usage is provided by direct transmissionfrom the UP function 405 to the CP function 401, or by that the UPfunction 405 stores the aggregated service unit usage in a memory (e.g.in the cloud), from which the CP function 401 can obtain the aggregatedservice unit usage.

Step 605

The CP function 401 may determine that additional service units needs tobe requested from the charging node 408, and provides a request foradditional credit to the charging node 408. This decision may be takenbased on operator's policy. If no new granted service unit is obtained,the CP function 401 needs to update the pool credit as well.

Step 606

When the charging node 408 has obtained the request in step 605, itgrants the requested additional service units, if possible. For example,the additional granted service units may be

Step 607

The charging node 408 provides information indicating the grant of therequested additional service unit to the CP function 401. The CPfunction 401 obtains the information from the charging node 408.

Step 608

The CP function 401 updates the credit pool threshold based on thegranted additional service unit from the charging node 408. Using theexample in FIG. 5 again, where the credit pool threshold before step 608was as follows:Credit pool threshold=Threshold for RG 1+Threshold for RG2=80+40=120.

Assuming an example where the usage report indicated that 30 serviceunits has been used, and that the granted additional service units are50. Then the updated credit pool threshold will be as follows:Updated credit pool threshold=Current credit poolthreshold−usage+granted additional service units=120−30+50=140.

In case the CP function 401 has not requested any additional serviceunit from the charging node 408 or if the charging node 408 did notgrant any additional service unit (i.e. additional quota), the updatedcredit pool threshold would be as follows:Updated credit pool threshold=Current credit poolthreshold−usage+granted additional service units=120−30+0=90.

Thus, the credit pool threshold has been updated to 140.

Step 609

The CP function 401 replaces the credit pool threshold which iscurrently in all individual URRs and in the URR CRPL with the updatedcredit pool threshold. With the example in FIG. 5 , the current creditpool threshold is 120, and this is now replaced with 140. The CPfunction 401 provides all individual URRs and the URR CRPL with theupdated credit pool threshold to the UP function 405.

Step 610

The CP function 401 may detect that an additional RG should be added tothe credit pool. For example, a RG 4 should be added to the credit pool.Thus, the pool with the added RG comprises RG1, RG2 and RG 4. The RG 4may have a GSU=60 and a threshold=70.

Step 611

The CP function 401 updates the credit pool threshold by adding thethreshold for the RG 4 to the current credit pool threshold. In anexample where the current credit pool threshold is 120, the threshold of70 for RG 4 is added to 120. Thus, the updated credit pool threshold isas follows:Updated credit pool threshold=Current credit pool threshold+thresholdfor additional RG=120+70=190.

In case the current threshold is the threshold from step 608, theupdated credit pool threshold is as follows:Updated credit pool threshold=Current credit pool threshold+thresholdfor additional RG=140+70=210.Step 612

The CP function 401 generates an individual URR for the additional RG,e.g. RG 4. The individual URR for RG 4 comprises the credit poolthreshold from step 611, i.e. the updated credit pool threshold. Theindividual URR for the additional RG also comprises the link to the URRCRPL.

Step 613

The CP function 401 replaces the credit pool threshold which iscurrently in all individual URRs and in the URR CRPL with the updatedcredit pool threshold. With the examples provided above current creditpool threshold may be 120 or 140, and this is now replaced with 190 or210. The CP function 401 provides all individual URRs and the URR CRPLwith the updated credit pool threshold to the UP function 405. The UPfunction 405 obtains the individual URRs and the URR CRPL with theupdated credit pool threshold from the CP function 401.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of providing URRs in the Sx SessionEstablishment and Modification Procedures. At start of the method (i.e.when step 701 is performed), the granted service unit (which is the sameas the quota) for URR 1 is 100 and the threshold for URR 1 is 80. Thegranted service unit for URR 2 is 50 and the threshold for URR 2 is 40.Consequently, the granted service unit for the credit pool is100+50=150. The credit pool threshold is 80% of the granted service unitfor the credit pool, i.e. 80% of 150 which is 120.

The method illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises at least one of the followingsteps, which steps may be provided in any suitable order than describedbelow:

Step 701

The CP function sends an Sx Session Establishment Request message to theUP function 405. The message comprises URR 1, and the URR 1 comprises alink to URR3 (i.e. the URR CRPL), a multiplier=10, a credit poolthreshold=120. The message further comprises URR2 which comprises alinked to URR3 (i.e. the URR CRPL), a multiplier=2 and the credit poolthreshold=120. The message also comprises URR3 (which is also referredto as URR CRPL) which comprises aggregating URRs (URR1 and URR2), thecredit pool threshold=120. The credit pool threshold may be a thresholdwhich is associated with at least one of volume and/or time.

Step 702

The UP function 405 may send an Sx Session Establishment Responsemessage to the CP function 401 as a response to the request message instep 701.

Step 703

An additional RG should be added to the credit pool, for example RG 4having a GSU=100, a multiplier=5 and a threshold=80 (the threshold isexemplified to be 80% of the GSU). The CP function 401 updates thecredit pool threshold by adding the threshold of 80 to the currentcredit pool threshold, e.g. 150+80=230. Thus, the updated credit poolthreshold is 230.

The CP function 401 sends an Sx Session Modification Request message tothe UP function 405. The message comprises the URR1 which comprise alinked to the URR3 (i.e. the URR CRPL), a multiplier=10 and the updatedcredit pool threshold=230. The message further comprises URR2 whichcomprises a link to URR3 (i.e. URR CRPL), a multiplier=2 and the updatedcredit pool threshold=230. The message also comprises URR4 whichcomprises a link to URR3 (i.e. the URR CRPL), a multiplier=5 and theupdated credit pool threshold=230. The message also comprises URR3 (i.e.the URR CRPL) which comprises aggregating URRs=URR1 and URR2 and URR4.The URR 3 further comprises the updated credit pool threshold=230. Theupdated credit pool threshold may be a threshold which is associatedwith at least one of volume and/or time.

Step 704

The UP function 405 sends an Sx Session Modification Response message tothe CP function 401. The response message may indicate that the requestin step 703 was accepted.

Step 705

The UP function 405 may send an Sx Session Report request message to theCP function 401. The request message is for URR1 and comprises usage x.Note that this report of usage is not necessarily due to reachingthreshold, but may also be for other reasons, e.g. RAT type change.

Step 706

The CP function 401 sends an Sx Session report Response message to theUP function 405 to indicate that the request message in step 705 wasaccepted.

Step 707

The CP function 401 sends a report for RG 1 and its usage=x to thecharging node 408 to request additional granted service units.

Step 708

The charging node 408 sends the requested additional granted serviceunits GSU=y for RG 1 back to the CP function 401.

Step 709

The CP function 401 updates the credit pool threshold as follows:230−x+y.

The CP function 401 sends an Sx Session Modification Request message tothe UP function 405. The message comprises URR1 which comprises a linkedto URR3 and the updated credit pool threshold=230−x+y. The messagefurther comprises URR2 which comprises a link to URR3, a multiplier=2and the updated credit pool threshold=230−x+y). The message comprisesURR4 which comprises a link to URR3, a multiplier=5 and the updatedcredit pool threshold=230−x+y. The message also comprises URR3 whichcomprises aggregating URRs=URR1 and URR2 and URR4, and the updatedcredit pool threshold=230−x+y. The updated credit pool threshold may bea threshold which is associated with at least one of volume and/or time.

Step 710

The UP function 405 may send an Sx Session Modification Response messageto the CP function 401 which indicates that the request message in step709 was accepted.

The method described above will now be described seen from theperspective of the CP function 401. FIGS. 8 a and 8 b illustrate aflowchart describing the present method performed by the CP function401, for handling a credit pool comprising a number of granted serviceunits to be used by multiple services. FIG. 8 b is a continuation ofFIG. 8 a . FIG. 8 a illustrates steps 800-809 and FIG. 8 b illustratessteps 810-817. The multiple services are grouped in at least one firstRG. There may be one service per RG or there may be two or more servicesper RG. Thus, a RG comprises one or more services. All of the multipleservices may be grouped in one first RG, or one part of the multipleservices may be grouped in one first RG and another part of the multipleservices may be grouped in another first RG. Thus, the multiple servicesmay be grouped on one or more first RGs. Consequently, the credit poolcomprises one or more first RGs. Below are two examples illustratinggrouping of multiple service in at least one RG, where the first examplecomprise 3 services and the second example comprises 8 services:

Example 1—Multiple services=3:

-   -   First RG=Service a, service b, service c

Example 2—Multiple services=8:

-   -   First RG 1=Service a, service b, service c    -   First RG 2=Service d, service e    -   First RG 3=Service f, service g, service h.

In example 1, the credit pool comprises one first RG. In example 2, thecredit pool comprises three first RGs. Each first RG has a respectiveindividual threshold.

The CP function 401 may be a PGW-C, a TDF-C or a combined SGW-C, andPGW-C.

The method illustrated in FIG. 8 comprises at least one of the followingsteps to be performed by the CP function 401.

Step 800

This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 may obtain information indicating a granted quota ofservice units from the credit pool. The granted quota of service unitshas been allocated to be used by the multiple services.

Step 801

This step corresponds to step 601 in FIG. 6 and step 701 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 creates an individual URR for each of the at leastone first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit poolthreshold, i.e. all individual URRs comprise the same first credit poolthreshold. The first credit pool threshold may be the sum of theindividual threshold for all at least one first RGs in the credit pool.For example, if the credit pool comprises the first RG 1 with threshold80 and the first RG 2 with threshold 40, then the first credit poolthreshold is 80+40=120.

The at least one first RG may be associated with a first thresholdassociated with service unit volume and/or time for the first RG. Thefirst credit pool threshold may be a sum of all first thresholds. Thefirst credit pool threshold may be a threshold associated with serviceunit volume and/or time for the credit pool.

Each RG may be associated with a respective individual threshold, andthe credit pool threshold may be a sum of all individual thresholds. Thecredit pool threshold may be a threshold associated with service unitvolume and/or time for the credit pool.

Below are two examples illustrating the individual URR for each of theat least one RG, where the first example comprises one first RG and thesecond example comprises three first RGs:

Example 1—Multiple services=3:

-   -   Individual URR 1=First RG=Service a, service b, service c

Example 2—Multiple services=8:

-   -   Individual URR 1=First RG 1=Service a, service b, service c    -   Individual URR 2=First RG 2=Service d, service e    -   Individual URR 3=First RG 3=Service f, service g, service h.

A multiplier may be comprised in each of the individual URRs, and themultiplier may indicate how to count user plane packets.

Step 802

This step corresponds to step 602 in FIG. 6 and step 701 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 provides all individual URRs for the credit pool toa UP function 405. As mentioned earlier, the providing may be done bydirect transmission from the CP function 401 to the UP function 405, viaan intermediate node or by that the CP function 401 stores theindividual URRs in a memory (e.g. in the cloud) from which the UPfunction 405 obtains the individual URRs.

In case there are two or more individual URRs, they may be provided tothe UP function 405 together or separately.

Step 803

This step corresponds to step 601 in FIG. 6 and step 701 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 creates a URR CRPL. The URR CRPL comprisesinstructions to the UP function 405 to aggregate service unit usage forall individual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprisesthe first credit pool threshold. Thus, the URR CRPL and all individualURRs associated with the credit pool comprise the same first credit poolthreshold.

The instruction in the URR CRPL may comprise a list of URR IDs of allindividual URRs for all RGs. The list may be a parameter referred to asaggregated URR. For example, the list may be as follows:

-   -   URR 1 ID    -   URR 2 ID    -   URR 3 ID.

The URR CRPL may be identified with an URR identification (e.g. a URRID) which may be mapped from a credit pool ID which may be obtained fromthe charging node

Step 804

This step corresponds to step 602 in FIG. 6 and step 701 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function provides the URR CRPL to the UP function 405. Asmentioned earlier, the providing may be done by direct transmission fromthe CP function 401 to the UP function 405, via an intermediate node orby that the CP function 401 stores the URR CRPL in a memory (e.g. in thecloud) from which the UP function 405 obtains the URR CRPL.

Step 805

This step corresponds to step 610 in FIG. 6 and step 703 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 may detect that at least one second RG should beadded to the credit pool. The second RG has an individual threshold.Below are two example of this:

Example 1—Multiple services=5:

-   -   First RG=Service a, service b, service c    -   Second RG=Service d, service e

Example 2—Multiple services=11:

-   -   First RG 1=Service a, service b, service c    -   First RG 2=Service d, service e    -   First RG 3=Service f, service g, service h    -   Second RG 1=Service i, service j, service k.

This step may also be described as the CP function 401 may detect thatat least one additional RG should be added to the credit pool, and thatthe additional RG has an additional individual threshold. Below are twoexamples of this. Example 1 currently comprises one RG and where twoadditional RGs should be added. Example 2 currently comprises three RGsand where one additional RG should be added:

Example 1—Multiple services=6:

-   -   RG 1=Service a, service b, service c    -   Additional RG 2=Service d, service e    -   Additional RG 3=Service f

Example 2—Multiple services=11:

-   -   RG 1=Service a, service b, service c    -   RG 2=Service d, service e    -   RG 3=Service f, service g, service h    -   Additional RG 4=Service i, service j, service k.        Step 806

This step corresponds to step 611 in FIG. 6 and step 703 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 may create a second credit pool threshold by addingthe second threshold to the first credit pool threshold:Second credit pool threshold=Second threshold+first credit poolthreshold

This may be also described as the CP function 401 updates the creditpool threshold (the threshold from step 801) by adding the additionalthreshold for the additional RG to the current credit pool threshold:Updated credit pool threshold=individual threshold for additionalRG+current credit pool thresholdStep 807

This step corresponds to step 612 in FIG. 6 and step 703 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 may create the individual URR for the second RG. Theindividual URR for the second RG comprises the second credit poolthreshold.

This may also be described as the CP function 401 may create theindividual URR for the additional RG, wherein the additional individualURR for the additional RG comprises the updated credit pool threshold,i.e. the threshold that was updated in step 806.

Step 808

This step corresponds to step 613 in FIG. 6 and step 703 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 may provide the individual URR for the second RG tothe UP function 405. This may also be described as the CP function 401may provide the individual URR for the additional RG to the UP function405.

As mentioned earlier, the providing may be done by direct transmissionfrom the CP function 401 to the UP function 405, via an intermediatenode or by that the CP function 401 stores the individual URR in amemory (e.g. in the cloud) from which the UP function 405 obtains theindividual URR.

Step 809

This step corresponds to step 613 in FIG. 6 and step 703 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 a.

The CP function 401 may update the instructions comprised in the URRCRPL to additionally aggregate the service unit usage for the second RG.

This may also be described as the CP function 401 may update theinstructions comprised in the URR CRPL to additionally aggregate theservice unit usage for the additional RG.

Step 810

This step corresponds to step 613 in FIG. 6 and step 703 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 b.

The CP function 401 may provide the URR CRPL and all individual URRs forthe first RG to the UP function 405 with the updated instructions andthe second credit pool threshold. Note that the second credit poolthreshold may also be referred to as an updated credit pool threshold,see step 806 above.

This may also be described as the CP function 401 may provide the URRCRPL and all individual URRs for the RGs (the ones created in step 801)to the UP function 405 with the updated instructions and the updatedcredit pool threshold.

Step 811

This step is seen in FIG. 8 b.

The CP function 401 may link each of the individual URRs to the URRCRPL. With this link, it can be determined that an individual URRbelongs to the credit pool.

Step 812

This step is seen in FIG. 8 b.

The CP function 401 may provide link information in each of theindividual URRs. The link information indicates the link between therespective individual URR and the URR CRPL, and implicitly that therespective individual URR is associated with the credit pool.

The link information may be provided in a parameter referred to asLinked URR. The Linked URR may be only applicable to the individual URR,i.e. in the individual URR. The Linked URR may be described as pointingto the aggregating URR, i.e. URR CRPL.

Step 813

This step corresponds to step 604 in FIG. 6 and step 705 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 b.

The CP function 401 may obtain, from the UP function 405 for at leastone of the individual URRs and the URR CRPL associated with the creditpool, usage information indicating service unit usage which has beenused by at least one of the multiple services. The usage information maybe comprised in a usage report.

Step 814

This step corresponds to step 605 in FIG. 6 and step 707 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 b.

The CP function 401 may provide, to a charging node 408, the usageinformation and a request for grant of additional service units from thecredit pool. The trigger for requesting the grant of additional serviceunits may be the receipt of the usage information in step 814 or anyother suitable trigger.

Step 815

This step corresponds to step 607 in FIG. 6 and step 708 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 b.

The CP function 401 may obtain information indicating the grantedadditional service units from the charging node 408.

Step 816

This step corresponds to step 608 in FIG. 6 and step 709 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 b.

The CP function 401 may create a third credit pool threshold bysubtracting the obtained service unit usage from the first credit poolthreshold and adding the granted additional service units.

This may also be described as the CP function 401 may update the creditpool threshold by subtracting the obtained service unit usage and addingthe granted additional service units from the current credit poolthreshold.

Step 817

This step corresponds to step 609 in FIG. 6 and step 709 in FIG. 7 .This step is seen in FIG. 8 b.

The CP function 401 may provide the URR CRPL and all the individual URRsto the UP function 405 with the third credit pool threshold. This mayalso be described as the CP function 401 may provide the URR CRPL andall the individual URRs to the UP function 405 with the updated creditpool threshold.

In some embodiments, a computer program may comprise instructions which,when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least oneprocessor to carry out at least one of the method steps 801-817. Acarrier may comprise the computer program, and the carrier is one of anelectronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer readablestorage medium.

To perform the method steps shown in FIG. 8 for handling a credit poolcomprising a number of granted service units to be used by multipleservices, the CP function 401 may comprises an arrangement as shown inFIG. 9 . The multiple services are grouped in at least one first RG. TheCP function 401 may be a PGW-C, a TDF-C or a combined SGW-C, and PGW-C.

To perform the method steps shown in FIG. 8 for handling a credit poolcomprising a number of granted service units to be used by multipleservices, the CP function 401 is configured to, e.g. by means of a CPcreating module 901, create an individual URR for each of the at leastone first RG. Each individual URR comprises a first credit poolthreshold. The at least one first RG may be associated with a firstthreshold associated with service unit volume and/or time for the firstRG. The first credit pool threshold may be a sum of all firstthresholds, and the first credit pool threshold may be a thresholdassociated with service unit volume and/or time for the credit pool. Amultiplier may be comprised in each of the individual URRs, and themultiplier may indicate how to count user plane packets. The CP creatingmodule 901 may also be referred to as a CP creating unit, a CP creatingmeans, a CP creating circuit, CP means for creating etc. The CP creatingmodule 901 may be a CP processor 903 of the CP function 401.

The CP function 401 is configured to, e.g. by means of a CP providingmodule 905, provide the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function405. The CP providing module 905 may also be referred to as a CPproviding unit, a CP providing means, a CP providing circuit, CP meansfor providing etc. The CP providing module 905 may be the CP processor903 of the CP function 401.

The CP function 401 is configured to, e.g. by means of the CP creatingmodule 901, create a URR CRPL. The URR CRPL comprises instructions tothe UP function 405 to aggregate service unit usage for all individualURRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises the first creditpool threshold. The instruction in the URR CRPL may comprise a list ofURR IDs of all individual URRs for all RGs. The URR CRPL may beidentified with an URR identification (URR ID) which is mapped from acredit pool ID obtained from a charging node 408.

The CP function 401 is configured to, e.g. by means of the CP providingmodule 905, provide the URR CRPL to the UP function 405.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of a CPdetecting module 908, detect that at least one second RG should be addedto the credit pool. The second RG has a second threshold. The CPdetecting module 908 may also be referred to as a CP detecting unit, aCP detecting means, a CP detecting circuit, CP means for detecting etc.The CP detecting module 908 may be the CP processor 903 of the CPfunction 401.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPcreating module 901, create a second credit pool threshold by adding thesecond threshold to the first credit pool threshold.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPcreating module 901, create the individual URR for the second RG. Theindividual URR for the second RG comprises the second credit poolthreshold.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPproviding module 905, provide the individual URR for the second RG tothe UP function 405.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of an CPupdating module 910, update the instructions comprised in the URR CRPLto additionally aggregate the service unit usage for the second RG. TheCP updating module 910 may also be referred to as a CP updating unit, aCP updating means, a CP updating circuit, CP means for updating etc. TheCP updating module 910 may be the CP processor 903 of the CP function401.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPproviding module 905, provide the URR CRPL and all individual URRs forthe first RG to the UP function 405 with the updated instructions andthe second credit pool threshold.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of a CP linkingmodule 913, link each of the individual URRs to the URR CRPL. The CPlinking module 913 may also be referred to as a CP linking unit, a CPlinking means, a CP linking circuit, CP means for linking etc. The CPlinking module 913 may be the CP processor 903 of the CP function 401.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPproviding module 905, provide link information in each of the individualURRs.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of a CPobtaining module 915, obtain, from the UP function 405 for at least oneof the individual URRs and the URR CRPL, a usage information indicatingservice unit usage which has been used by at least one of the multipleservices. The CP obtaining module 915 may also be referred to as a CPobtaining unit, a CP obtaining means, a CP obtaining circuit, CP meansfor obtaining etc. The CP obtaining module 915 may be the CP processor903 of the CP function 401.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPproviding module 905, provide, to a charging node 408, the usageinformation and a request for grant of additional service units from thecredit pool.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPobtaining module 915, obtain information indicating the grantedadditional service units from the charging node 408.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPcreating module 901, create a third credit pool threshold by subtractingthe obtained service unit usage from the first credit pool threshold andadding the granted additional service units.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPproviding module 905, provide the URR CRPL and all the individual URRsto the UP function 405 with the third credit pool threshold.

The CP function 401 may be configured to, e.g. by means of the CPobtaining module 915, obtain information indicating a granted quota ofservice units from the credit pool. The granted quota of service unitshas been allocated to be used by the multiple services.

In some embodiments, the CP function 401 comprises the CP processor 903and a CP memory 916. The CP memory 916 comprises instructions executableby the CP processor 903. The memory 916 is arranged to be used to storedata, received data streams, power level measurements, GSU, thresholds,URRs, URR CRPL, RGs, credit pool information, IDs, instructions, usageinformation, trigger information, multipliers, time periods,configurations, schedulings, and applications to perform the methodsherein when being executed in the CP function 401.

The CP function 401 may further comprises a CP transmitting module 918configured to transmit information, data, messages, rules etc. toanother function, node or entity, e.g. the UP function 405. The CPtransmitting module 918 may also be referred to as a CP transmittingunit, a CP transmitting means, a CP transmitting circuit, CP means fortransmitting, CP output unit etc. The CP transmitting module 918 may bea transmitter, a transceiver etc. The CP transmitting module 918 may bea wireless transmitter of the CP function 401 of a wireless or fixedcommunications system. The CP transmitting module 918 may be same as theCP providing module 905.

The CP function 401 may further comprises a CP receiving module 920configured to receive information, data, messages, rules etc. fromanother function or node or entity, e.g. the CP function 401. The CPreceiving module 920 may also be referred to as a CP receiving unit, aCP receiving means, a CP receiving circuit, CP means for receiving, CPinput unit etc. The CP receiving module 920 may be a receiver, atransceiver etc. The CP receiving module 920 may be a wireless receiverof the UP function 405 of a wireless or fixed communications system. TheCP receiving module 920 may be same as the CP obtaining module 915.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the CP creatingmodule 901, the CP providing module 905, the CP detecting module 908,the CP updating module 910, the CP linking module 913, the CP obtainingmodule 915, the CP transmitting module 918 and the CP receiving module920 described above may refer to a combination of analog and digitalcircuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/orfirmware, e.g. stored in a memory, that when executed by the one or moreprocessors such as the CP processor 903 perform as described above. Oneor more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, maybe included in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributedamong several separate components, whether individually packaged orassembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

The method described above will now be described seen from theperspective of the UP function 405. FIG. 10 is a flowchart describingthe present method performed by the UP function 405, for handling acredit pool comprising a number of granted service units to be used bymultiple services. The multiple services are grouped in at least onefirst RG.

The UP function 405 may be a PGW-U, a TDF-U or a combined SGW-U, andPGW-U.

The method illustrated in FIG. 10 comprises at least one of thefollowing steps, which steps may be performed in any suitable order thandescribed below:

Step 1001

This step corresponds to step 602 in FIG. 6 and step 701 in FIG. 7 .

The UP function 405 obtains, from the CP function 401, an URR for eachof the at least one first RGs. Each individual URR comprises a firstcredit pool threshold.

This may also described as the UP function 405 obtains, from the CPfunction 401, an URR for each of the at least one RGs. Each individualURR comprises a credit pool threshold.

The at least one first RG may be associated with a first thresholdassociated with service unit volume and/or time for the first RG. Thefirst credit pool threshold may be a sum of all first thresholds, andthe first credit pool threshold may be a threshold associated withservice unit volume and/or time for the credit pool. This may also bedescribed as the at least one RG is associated with a respectiveindividual threshold associated with service unit volume and/or time forthe RG, wherein the credit pool threshold is a sum of all individualthresholds.

A multiplier may be comprised in each of the individual URRs, and themultiplier may indicate how to count the service units. The multipliermay be set according to RFC4006, August 2005.

Step 1002

This step corresponds to step 602 in FIG. 6 and step 701 in FIG. 7 .

The UP function 405, may obtain, from the CP function 401, a URR CRPL.The URR CRPL comprises instructions to aggregate service unit usage forall individual URRs for all first RGs in the credit pool, and the URRCRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold.

This may also be described as the UP function 405, may obtain, from theCP function 401, a URR CRPL. The URR CRPL comprises instructions toaggregate service unit usage for all individual URRs for all RGs in thecredit pool, and wherein the URR CRPL further comprises the credit poolthreshold.

The instruction in the URR CRPL may comprise a list of IDs of allindividual URRs for all first RGs. This may also be described as theinstruction in the URR CRPL may comprise a list of IDs of all individualURRs for all RGs.

Step 1003

This step corresponds to step 603 in FIG. 6 .

The UP function 405 counts or measures the used service units for eachindividual URR for all first RGs in the credit pool. The counted usedservice units may be for example as follows:

-   -   Individual URR 1 for first RG 1: Used service units=100    -   Individual URR 2 for first RG 2: Used service units=80    -   Individual URR 3 for first RG 3: Used service units=90.

This may also be described as the UP function 405 counts of measured theused service units for each individual URR for all RGs in the creditpool. The counted used service units may be for example as follows:

-   -   Individual URR 1 for RG 1: Used service units=100    -   Individual URR 2 for RG 2: Used service units=80    -   Individual URR 3 for RG 3: Used service units=90.

The counting may be done taking the multiplier into account.

Step 1004

This step corresponds to step 603 in FIG. 6 .

The UP function 405 aggregates the counted service unit usage for allindividual URRs for all first RGs in the credit pool. The aggregatedcounted used service units may be for example as follows:Used service unit for individual URR 1 for first RG 1+Used service unitfor individual URR 2 for first RG 2+Used service unit for individual URR3 for first RG 3=100+80+90=270

The UP function 405 aggregates the counted service unit usage for allindividual URRs for all RGs in the credit pool. The aggregated countedused service units may be for example as follows:Used service unit for individual URR 1 for RG 1+Used service unit forindividual URR 2 for RG 2+Used service unit for individual URR 3 for RG3=100+80+90=270Step 1005

This step corresponds to step 613 in FIG. 6 and step 703 in FIG. 7 .

The UP function 405 may obtain an individual URR for at least one secondRG from the CP function 401. The individual URR for the second RGcomprises a second credit pool threshold which is the sum of the firstcredit pool threshold and a second threshold for the second RG.

This may also be described as the UP function 405 may obtain anindividual URR for at least one additional RG from the CP function 401.The additional individual URR comprises an updated credit pool thresholdhas been updated with an additional threshold for the additional RG.

Step 1006

This step corresponds to step 613 in FIG. 6 and step 703 in FIG. 7 .

The UP function 405 may obtain the URR CRPL and the individual URRs forthe first RGs from the CP function 401 with updated instructions and thesecond credit pool threshold.

This may also be described as the UP function 405 may obtain the URRCRPL and the individual URRs from the CP function 401 with updatedinstructions and updated credit pool threshold which has bene updatedwith respect to the additional RG.

Step 1007

The UP function 405 may obtain link information in each of theindividual URRs. The link information indicates a link between each ofthe individual URRs and the URR CRPL.

Step 1008

This step corresponds to step 603 in FIG. 6 .

The UP function 405 may determine that usage information for at leastone of the individual URRs and the URR CRPL should be generated andprovided to the CP function 401. The usage information indicates serviceunit usage which has bene used by at least one of the multiple services.

The decision to generate and provide usage information for at least oneof the individual URR and the URR CRPL to the CP function 401 may betriggered by that the aggregated usage has reached or exceeded athreshold, or e.g. by a change of Radio Access Technology, RAT, type forone of the RGs as defined in the reporting triggers.

Step 1009

This step corresponds to step 603 in FIG. 6 .

The UP function 405 may generate the usage information for at least oneof the individual URRs and the URR CRPL. The usage information may becomprised in a usage report. The generation may be done according to areporting trigger defined in the individual URRs.

Step 1010

This step corresponds to step 604 in FIG. 6 and step 705 in FIG. 7 .

The UP function 405 may provide the generated usage information to theCP function 401.

Step 1011

This step corresponds to step 609 in FIG. 6 and step 709 in FIG. 7 .

The UP function 405 may obtain the URR CRPL and all the individual URRsfrom the CP function 401 with a third credit pool threshold. The thirdcredit pool threshold has been updated by the CP function 401 bysubtracting the service unit usage from the first credit pool thresholdand adding granted additional service units.

This may also be described as the UP function 405 may obtain the URRCRPL and all the individual URRs from the CP function 401 with a updatedcredit pool threshold, wherein the update credit pool threshold has beenupdated by the CP function 401 by subtracting the service unit usagefrom the current credit pool threshold and adding granted additionalservice units.

In some embodiments, a computer program may comprise instructions which,when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least oneprocessor to carry out at least one of the method steps 1001-1011. Acarrier may comprise the computer program, and the carrier is one of anelectronic signal, optical signal, radio signal or computer readablestorage medium.

To perform the method steps shown in FIG. 10 for handling a credit poolcomprising a number of granted service units to be used by multipleservices, the UP function 405 may comprises an arrangement as shown inFIG. 11 . The multiple services are grouped in at least one first RG.The UP function 405 may be a PGW-U, a TDF-U or a combined SGW-U, andPGW-U.

To perform the method steps shown in FIG. 10 for handling a credit poolcomprising a number of granted service units to be used by multipleservices, the UP function 405 is configured to, e.g. by means of an UPobtaining module 1001, obtain, from a CP function 401, an individual URRfor each of the at least one first RGs. Each individual URR comprises afirst credit pool threshold. The at least one first RG may be associatedwith a first threshold associated with service unit volume and/or timefor the first RG. The first credit pool threshold may be a sum of allfirst thresholds, and the first credit pool threshold may be a thresholdassociated with service unit volume and/or time for the credit pool. Amultiplier may be comprised in each of the individual URRs, and themultiplier may indicate how to count the service units. The UP obtainingmodule 1001 may also be referred to as a UP obtaining unit, a UPobtaining means, a UP obtaining circuit, UP means for obtaining etc. TheUP obtaining module 1001 may be a UP processor 1003 of the UP function405.

The UP function 405 is further configured to, e.g. by means of the UPobtaining module 1001, obtain a URR CRPL from the CP function 401. TheURR CRPL comprises instructions to aggregate service unit usage for allindividual URRs for all first RGs. The URR CRPL further comprises thefirst credit pool threshold. The instructions in the URR CRPL maycomprise a list of IDs of all individual URRs for all first RGs.

The UP function 405 is further configured to, e.g. by means of a UPcounting module 1005, count the used service units for each individualURRs for the first RGs. The UP counting module 1005 may also be referredto as a UP counting unit, a UP counting means, a UP counting circuit, UPmeans for counting etc. The UP counting module 1005 may be the UPprocessor 1003 of the UP function 405.

The UP function 405 is further configured to, e.g. by means of a UPaggregating module 1008, aggregate the counted service unit usage forall individual URRs for all first RGs. The UP aggregating module 1008may also be referred to as a UP aggregating unit, a UP aggregatingmeans, a UP aggregating circuit, UP means for aggregating etc. The UPaggregating module 1008 may be the UP processor 1003 of the UP function405.

The UP function 405 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of theUP obtaining module 1001, obtain an individual URR for at least onesecond RG from the CP function 401. The individual URR for the second RGcomprises a second credit pool threshold which is the sum of the firstcredit pool threshold and a second threshold for the second RG.

The UP function 405 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of theUP obtaining module 1001, obtain the URR CRPL and the individual URRsfor the first RGs from the CP function 401 with updated instructions andthe second credit pool threshold.

The UP function 405 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of theUP obtaining module 1001, obtain link information in each of theindividual URRs. The link information indicates a link between each ofthe individual URRs and the URR CRPL.

The UP function 405 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of a UPdetermining module 1010, determine that usage information for at leastone of the individual URRs and the URR CRPL should be generated andprovided to the CP function 401. The usage information indicates serviceunit usage which has bene used by at least one of the multiple services.The determining that usage information for at least one of theindividual URR and the URR CRPL should be generated and provided to theCP function 401 may be triggered by that the aggregated usage hasreached or exceeded a threshold, or e.g. by a change of RAT type for oneof the RGs. The UP determining module 1010 may also be referred to as aUP determining unit, a UP determining means, a UP determining circuit,UP means for determining etc. The UP determining module 1010 may be theUP processor 1003 of the UP function 405.

The UP function 405 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of a UPgenerating module 1013, generate the usage information for at least oneof the individual URRs and the URR CRPL. The UP generating module 1013may also be referred to as a UP generating unit, a UP generating means,a UP generating circuit, UP means for generating etc. The UP generatingmodule 1013 may be the UP processor 1003 of the UP function 405.

The UP function 405 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of a UPproviding module 1015, provide the generated usage information to the CPfunction 401. The UP providing module 1015 may also be referred to as aUP providing unit, a UP providing means, a UP providing circuit, UPmeans for providing etc. The UP providing module 1015 may be the UPprocessor 1003 of the UP function 405.

The UP function 405 may be further configured to, e.g. by means of theUP obtaining module 1001, obtain the URR CRPL and all the individualURRs from the CP function 401 with a third credit pool threshold. Thethird credit pool threshold has been updated by the CP function 401 bysubtracting the service unit usage from the first credit pool thresholdand adding granted additional service units.

In some embodiments, the UP function 405 comprises the UP processor 1003and a UP memory 1018. The UP memory 1018 comprises instructionsexecutable by the UP processor 1003. The UP memory 1018 is arranged tobe used to store data, received data streams, power level measurements,GSU, thresholds, URRs, URR CRPL, RGs, credit pool information, IDs,instructions, usage information, trigger information, multipliers, timeperiods, configurations, schedulings, and applications to perform themethods herein when being executed in the UP function 405.

The UP function 405 may further comprises a UP transmitting module 1020configured to transmit information, data, messages, rules etc. toanother function, node or entity, e.g. the CP function 401. The UPtransmitting module 1020 may also be referred to as a UP transmittingunit, a UP transmitting means, a UP transmitting circuit, UP means fortransmitting, UP output unit etc. The transmitting module 918 may be atransmitter, a transceiver etc. The transmitting module 918 may be awireless transmitter of the UP function 405 of a wireless or fixedcommunications system. The UP transmitting module 1020 may be same asthe UP providing module 1015.

The UP function 405 may further comprises a UP receiving module 1022configured to receive information, data, messages, rules etc. fromanother function or node or entity, e.g. the CP function 401. The UPreceiving module 1022 may also be referred to as a UP receiving unit, aUP receiving means, a UP receiving circuit, UP means for receiving, UPinput unit etc. The UP receiving module 1022 may be a receiver, atransceiver etc. The UP receiving module 1022 may be a wireless receiverof the UP function 405 of a wireless or fixed communications system. TheUP receiving module 1022 may be same as the UP obtaining module 1001.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the UP obtainingmodule 1001, the UP counting module 1005, the UP aggregating module1008, the UP determining module 1010, the UP generating module 1013, theUP providing module 1015, the UP transmitting module 1020 and the UPreceiving module 1022 described above may refer to a combination ofanalog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configuredwith software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in a memory, that whenexecuted by the one or more processors such as the UP processor 1003perform as described above. One or more of these processors, as well asthe other digital hardware, may be included in a single ASIC, or severalprocessors and various digital hardware may be distributed among severalseparate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into aSoC.

The present mechanism for handling a credit pool comprising grantedservice units to be used by multiple services may be implemented throughone or more processors, such as a CP processor 903 in the CP functionarrangement depicted in FIG. 9 and a UP processor 1003 in the UPfunction arrangement depicted in FIG. 11 , together with computerprogram code for performing the functions of the embodiments herein. Theprocessor may be for example a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), ASICprocessor, Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) processor ormicroprocessor. The program code mentioned above may also be provided asa computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carriercarrying computer program code for performing the embodiments hereinwhen being loaded into at least one of the CP function 401 and the UPfunction 405. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD-ROM disc. Itis however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. Thecomputer program code can furthermore be provided as pure program codeon a server and downloaded to at least one of the CP function 401 andthe UP function 405.

Some embodiments described herein may be summarized in the followingmanner:

As mentioned earlier, the prior art solution is unnecessarilycomplicated by providing the credit pool concept into the UP. The reasonfor this is that the UP function 405 does need to have information aboutthe credit pool. The UP function 405 only needs to know how to count thepackets per service data flow (network usage).

A new Usage Reporting Rule (i.e. the URR CRPL), in addition to becreated per RG and per bearer, is created by the CP function 401, andprovided from the CP function 401 to the UP function 405, to control thereporting on for each of the Credit Pool requested by the charging node408, e.g. the OCS.

In the URR CRPL, a parameter, preferably called “aggregating usage ofreports”, may be included. The parameter may be set to a list of usagereporting rules, i.e. the URR CRPL does not have any PDR associated, itsimply aggregates all network usage counted by associated URR(s). The IDof the URR CRPL may be set to the Credit Pool ID within the session,otherwise the mapping is needed between this URR ID and the credit poolID.

In the URR CRPL, a volume/time Threshold is set to the volume/timethreshold for the pool. The quota is not applicable to the URR CRPLsince it need not enforce any action upon quota exhaustion.

For each individual URR, the URR CRPL (which corresponds to the CreditPool) are aggregating the usage from, may be set to be linked to the URRCRPL, which indicates that, as long as the URR CRPL generates a usagereport, these individual URRs may also generate usage reports. Eachindividual URR may include a multiplier parameter which is associatedwith instructions on how the packets matching the PDR shall be counted,e.g. the multiplier is a relative proportional figure among thoseservices in the same pool. For instance, if the rating parameter forservice 1 is $1/MB and the rating parameter for service 2 is $0.5/MB,the multipliers could be 10 and 5 for services 1 and 2, respectively.”In this example, if URR1 is for Service 1 (RG1), URR2 is for Service2(RG2), then the multiplier in URR1 is set 10, and the multiplier inURR2 is set to 5.

The UP function 405 may be described as being fully controlled by URR,it counts usages per individual URR. In addition, the UP function 405aggregates the usage from all URRs sharing the same credit pool (whichis instructed by the CP function 401 with the aggregating URRs parameterin the URR CRPL). Based on the URRs, the UP function 405 decides if itshould generate a usage report. The usage report is generated forexample when reaching the credit pool threshold or a usage report may begenerated by other conditions, e.g. RAT type change for one of chargingkey. When the CP function 401 obtains such usage report, it likelyupdates the individual URRs and the URR CRPL.

In some embodiments, at least one computer program may compriseinstructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause theat least one processor to carry out at least one of the method steps inFIGS. 6 and/or FIG. 7 . A carrier may comprise the computer program, andthe carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signalor computer readable storage medium.

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above describedembodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may beused. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limitingthe scope of the embodiments, which is defined by the appending claims.A feature from one embodiment may be combined with one or more featuresof any other embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when usedin this specification is taken to specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,components or groups thereof. It should also be noted that the words “a”or “an” preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a pluralityof such elements. The terms “consisting of” or “consisting essentiallyof” may be used instead of the term comprising.

The term “configured to” used herein may also be referred to as“arranged to”, “adapted to”, “capable of” or “operative to”.

It should also be emphasised that the steps of the methods defined inthe appended claims may, without departing from the embodiments herein,be performed in another order than the order in which they appear in theclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a Control Plane (CP)function, implemented in a CP node, for handling a credit poolcomprising granted service units to be used by multiple services in atelecommunication network, wherein the multiple services are grouped inat least one first Rating Group (RG), the method comprising: creating anindividual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one firstRG, wherein each individual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold;providing the individual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function implementedin the CP node; creating a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URRCRPL), wherein the URR CRPL further comprises the first credit poolthreshold; and providing the URR CRPL to the UP function.
 2. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: detecting that at least one second RGshould be added to the credit pool, wherein the second RG has a secondthreshold; creating a second credit pool threshold by adding the secondthreshold to the first credit pool threshold; creating the individualURR for the second RG, wherein the individual URR for the second RGcomprises the second credit pool threshold; providing the individual URRfor the second RG to the UP function; updating the instructionscomprised in the URR CRPL to additionally aggregate the service unitusage for the second RG; and providing the URR CRPL and all individualURRs for the first RG to the UP function with the updated instructionsand the second credit pool threshold.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: linking each of the individual URRs to the URR CRPL; andproviding link information in each of the individual URRs.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: obtaining, from the UP function for atleast one of the individual URRs and the URR CRPL, a usage informationindicating service unit usage which has been used by at least one of themultiple services; providing, to a charging node, the usage informationand a request for grant of additional service units from the creditpool; obtaining information indicating the granted additional serviceunits from the charging node; creating a third credit pool threshold bysubtracting the service unit usage from the first credit pool thresholdand adding the granted additional service units; and providing the URRCRPL and all the individual URRs to the UP function with the thirdcredit pool threshold.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprisingobtaining information indicating a granted quota of service units fromthe credit pool, wherein the granted quota of service units has beenallocated to be used by the multiple services.
 6. The method of claim 1:wherein the at least one first RG is associated with a first thresholdassociated with service unit volume and/or time for the first RG;wherein the first credit pool threshold is a sum of all firstthresholds; and wherein the first credit pool threshold is a thresholdassociated with service unit volume and/or time for the credit pool. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the CP function is a Packet Data NetworkGateway-Control plane function (PGW-C), a Traffic DetectionFunction-Control plane function (TDF-C), or a combined ServingGateway-Control plane function (SGW-C) and PGW-C.
 8. A method performedby a User Plane (UP) function for handling a credit pool comprisinggranted service units to be used by multiple services, wherein themultiple services are grouped in at least one first Rating Group (RG),the method comprising: obtaining, from a Control Plane (CP) function, anindividual Usage Reporting Rule (URR) for each of the at least one firstRGs, wherein each individual URR comprises a first credit poolthreshold; obtaining a Usage Reporting Rule for the Credit Pool (URRCRPL) from the CP function, wherein the URR CRPL further comprises thefirst credit pool threshold; counting the service unit usage for eachindividual URR for the first RG; and aggregating the counted serviceunit usage for all individual URRs for all first RGs.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: obtaining an individual URR for at leastone second RG from the CP function, wherein the individual URR for thesecond RG comprises a second credit pool threshold which is the sum ofthe first credit pool threshold and a second threshold for the secondRG; and obtaining the URR CRPL and the individual URRs for the first RGsfrom the CP function with updated instructions and the second creditpool threshold.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising obtaininglink information in each of the individual URRs, the link informationindicating a link between each of the individual URRs and the URR CRPL.11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining that usageinformation for at least one of the individual URRs and the URR CRPLshould be generated and provided to the CP function, wherein the usageinformation indicates the service unit usage which has been used by atleast one of the multiple services; generating the usage information forat least one of the individual URRs and the URR CRPL; and providing thegenerated usage information to the CP function.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the determining that usage information for at least one ofthe individual URR and the URR CRPL should be generated and provided tothe CP function is triggered by the aggregated usage reaching orexceeding a threshold.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:obtaining the URR CRPL and all the individual URRs from the CP functionwith a third credit pool threshold; wherein the third credit poolthreshold has been updated by the CP function by subtracting the serviceunit usage from the first credit pool threshold and adding grantedadditional service units.
 14. The method of claim 8: wherein the atleast one first RG is associated with a first threshold associated withservice unit volume and/or time for the first RG; wherein the firstcredit pool threshold is a sum of all first thresholds; and wherein thefirst credit pool threshold is a threshold associated with service unitvolume and/or time for the credit pool.
 15. The method of claim 8,wherein the UP function is a Packet Data Network Gateway-User planefunction (PGW-U), a Traffic Detection Function-User plane function(TDF-U), or a combined Serving Gateway-User plane function (SGW-U) andPGW-U.
 16. A Control Plane (CP) function for handling a credit poolcomprising granted service units to be used by multiple services,wherein the multiple services are grouped in at least one first RatingGroup (RG), the CP function comprising: processing circuitry; memorycontaining instructions executable by the processing circuitry wherebythe CP function is operative to: create an individual Usage ReportingRule (URR) for each of the at least one first RG, wherein eachindividual URR comprises a first credit pool threshold; provide theindividual URRs to a User Plane (UP) function; create a Usage ReportingRule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL) wherein the URR CRPL furthercomprises the first credit pool threshold; and to provide the URR CRPLto the UP function.
 17. The CP function of claim 16, wherein theinstructions are such that the CP function is operative to: detect thatat least one second RG should be added to the credit pool, wherein thesecond RG has a second threshold; create a second credit pool thresholdby adding the second threshold to the first credit pool threshold;create the individual URR for the second RG, wherein the individual URRfor the second RG comprises the second credit pool threshold; providethe individual URR for the second RG to the UP function; update theinstructions comprised in the URR CRPL to additionally aggregate theservice unit usage for the second RG; and provide the URR CRPL and allindividual URRs for the first RG to the UP function with the updatedinstructions and the second credit pool threshold.
 18. The CP functionof claim 16, wherein the instructions are such that the CP function isoperative to: link each of the individual URRs to the URR CRPL; andprovide link information in each of the individual URRs.
 19. The CPfunction of claim 16, wherein the instructions are such that the CPfunction is operative to: obtain, from the UP function for at least oneof the individual URRs and the URR CRPL, usage information indicatingservice unit usage which has been used by at least one of the multipleservices; provide, to a charging node, the usage information and arequest for grant of additional service units from the credit pool;obtain information indicating the granted additional service units fromthe charging node; create a third credit pool threshold by subtractingthe service unit usage from the first credit pool threshold and addingthe granted additional service units; and provide the URR CRPL and allthe individual URRs to the UP function with the third credit poolthreshold.
 20. The CP of claim 16, wherein the CP function is a PacketData Network Gateway-Control plane function (PGW-C), a Traffic DetectionFunction-Control plane function (TDF-C), or a combined ServingGateway-Control plane function (SGW-C) and PGW-C.
 21. A User Plane (UP)function for handling a credit pool comprising granted service units tobe used by multiple services, wherein the multiple services are groupedin at least one first Rating Group (RG), the UP function comprising:processing circuitry; memory containing instructions executable by theprocessing circuitry whereby the UP function is operative to: obtain,from a Control Plane (CP) function, an individual Usage Reporting Rule(URR) for each of the at least one first RGs, wherein each individualURR comprises a first credit pool threshold; obtain a Usage ReportingRule for the Credit Pool (URR CRPL) from the CP function, wherein theURR CRPL further comprises the first credit pool threshold; count theservice unit usage for each individual URR for the first RG; andaggregate the counted service unit usage for all individual URRs for allfirst RGs.
 22. The UP function of claim 21, wherein the instructions aresuch that the UP function is operative to: obtain an individual URR forat least one second RG from the CP function, wherein the individual URRfor the second RG comprises a second credit pool threshold which is thesum of the first credit pool threshold and a second threshold for thesecond RG; and obtain the URR CRPL and the individual URRs for the firstRGs from the CP function with updated instructions and the second creditpool threshold.
 23. The UP function of claim 21, wherein theinstructions are such that the UP function is operative to obtain linkinformation in each of the individual URRs, the link informationindicating a link between each of the individual URRs and the URR CRPL.24. The UP function of claim 21, wherein the instructions are such thatthe UP function is operative to: determine that usage information forthe individual URRs and/or the URR CRPL should be generated and providedto the CP function, wherein the usage information indicates service unitusage which has been used by at least one of the multiple services;generate the usage information for at least one of the individual URRsand the URR CRPL; and provide the generated usage information to the CPfunction.
 25. The UP function of claim 24, wherein the determining thatthe usage information should be generated and provided to the CPfunction is triggered by the aggregated usage reaching or exceeding athreshold.